home

Edit 0 51 …

Research for the Digital Generation

Free Tools to Help Students with the Research/Problem-Solving Process


Michelle Miller
Instructional Technology/Library Coordinator
Virginia Beach Schools
mimiller@vbschools.com

Loading

Big 6 Problem Solving Process

Capture.PNG


1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed in order to complete the task (to solve the information problem)

Brainstorming/Mapping Tools:
MindMeister
  • requires email address to register
  • free version allows for 3 mind maps
  • no minimum age requirements
  • free version does have advertisements
  • can add attachment, links, notes, tasks
  • can share and export (including exporting to an outline format)
  • Help Menu provides a complete tutorial

2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm)
2.2 Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources)


FindItVa (i.e., General Reference Center Gold, eLibrary)
  • requires a public library card
  • eLibrary allows students to save lists, make timelines, make slideshows, and save notes

3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)3.2 Find information within sources
Searching Tools:
Google Alerts
  • can send alerts to email or RSS feed in Google Reader
Google Custom Search
  • creates HTML code that you can embed on a wiki, blog, or website
Ask.com (also have kids version: http://www.askkids.com/)
  • provides search suggestions, subtopics, questions
Quintura (also have a kids version: http://quinturakids.com/)
  • visual search engine

4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch) the information in a source4.2 Extract relevant information from a source
Notetaking Tools:
Evernote similar to Microsoft Office OneNote
NoteStar digital notecards
  • help can be found at http://notestar.4teachers.org/help/
  • teachers set up classes allowing students to work together
  • teachers can monitor progress and email (internal to NoteStar) students

Diigo Additional Diigo Info bookmarking, notetaking, knowledge sharing
  • requires email address
  • Help Menu provides step-by-step help
  • provides for free educator account allowing for creation of classes

Citation Tools:
EasyBib
BibMe
NoodleTools 
Comparison of Citation Generators.docx


Links to Other Citation Tools:
http://digitalresearchtools.pbworks.com/Citation-Management-Tools


Aggregators (organize information sources):
GoogleReader

File Sharing Tools:
Dropbox
drop.io

5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize information from multiple sources5.2 Present the information

There are many free tools that allow students to create a product in order to demonstrate knowledge and mastery. Here is a short list of some of the most popular ones. For a longer lost, please see the links below.
  • Glogster/Eduglogster--interactive poster creator
  • Prezi--presentation software
  • Google Docs--Office collaboration suite
  • Zoho Suite--Office collaboration suite
  • Blogger--blogging tool
  • Edublogs--blogging tool
  • Wikispaces--wiki tool
  • Jing--screen capture/casting took
  • VoiceThread--create collaborative multimedia slideshow
  • Audacity--sound editor and recorder
  • Wallwisher--online noticeboard
  • Animoto--video creator from images
  • PBworks--wiki tool
  • Screenr--screencasting tool
  • Screentoaster--screencasting tool
  • xtranormal--create short 3D animated movies from text-based scripts
  • Voki--create talking, personalized avatars
  • Toondoo--create comic strips
  • Photostory--create movies with narration from images
  • Wetpaint--wiki tool
  • Weebly--website/blog creator

Other Synthesis Tools:
Top 100 Tools for Learning 2010 List
Digital Research Tools Wiki

6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)6.2 Judge the information problem-solving process (efficiency)
Survey Monkey